Friends to celebrate 75 years of Peru Elementary School

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Peru Elementary School may not have students chattering in its’ halls anymore, but the Friends of Peru Elementary School are doing their best to breathe new life into the building that so many locals grew up in. Join FPES on October 13 for a day of celebrating the historic building. (Photo by Nick Waugh)

PERU- The halls of Peru Elementary School may not echo with the sounds of children running to the library for their favorite book or in anticipation of getting outside to play in the first snowstorm, but the new life that has been breathed into the building is helping to keep the historic building alive for so many throughout the small town.

Nick Waugh, president of the Friends of Peru Elementary School, is just one person out of dozens of all ages who are stepping forward to keep the building open and they invite you to join them on Saturday, October 13 to celebrate the building’s 75 years of service to the community.

The free-admission-festivities for all ages begins at 11 a.m. and will run until 3 p.m. at the old school on Main Street, however, donations will be greatly appreciated and accepted.

There will be an open house to see what changes have been made and who now occupies the space, there will be a tribute to Jack Gibson, the gentleman that awarded the group $10,000 to keep the school open in the community, as well as a slideshow remembering the last 75 years.

Other goings on consist of historical society exhibits, a quilt raffle, indoor yard sale, music by Michelle Johnson and Alan Hutchinson, there will be t-shirts for sale that mark the occasion and the FPES cookbooks will be available for sale.

Children will enjoy the mystery of the Magician TJ Magic Show, several games, face painting, horse and buggy rides, as well as a pumpkin contest. So, be sure to bring your own decorated pumpkin for judging.

The day will end at 3 p.m. with a jam session provided by anyone who brings their own musical instrument.

If you would like to donate food, please contact Gloria Donahue at 562-4586. If you have vintage photos of the school you would like to have scanned for the slideshow, please call 562-7287 to make an appointment to drop them by.

You can find Friends of Peru Elementary School on the web at www.friendsofpes.org, by emailing them at fpes@friendsofpes.org or on Facebook as Friends of Peru Elementary.